Champions League spot would be ‘powerful’ for Arsenal, says Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said getting Champions League qualification this season would be “powerful” for the London club’s future.

Arsenal, who finished at disheartening eighth last season, sit fourth in the Premier League standings, two points ahead of London rivals Tottenham Hotspur with five games to play.

Arsenal last played in the Champions League in 2016-17 when they reached at the round of 16.

“Qualifying for the Champions League would be an important achievement, and something very necessary and powerful for the club moving forward,” Arteta told Sky Sports on Friday.

Inquired as to whether he was prepared for critisism would it be a good idea for them they miss the mark in their bid, Arteta answered, “That’s part of the job and the expectation that we have here is to not only be in the Champions League but also win trophies every single year.”

Since showing up as the manager in 2019, Arteta has driven Arsenal to the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

“We want to make the squad stronger, the starting 11 stronger, the specificity and the personality of our players stronger, and that’s what we are going to be seeking to do,” he said.

“There are a lot of question marks there, but this is football… The good thing is that the plan is clear, but the plan is just the plan until you start to work through that plan.”